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Wallabies unified despite losing run

Justin Chadwick

The Wallabies are in a world of pain, and they're not liking it one bit.

Four losses on the trot have dented the team's confidence.

New coach Ewen McKenzie is already feeling the heat after just three games in charge.

And the team's forwards are still licking their wounds after copping a monstering from the Springboks in Saturday's 38-12 drubbing in Brisbane.

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All of those things have been painful to experience for the Wallabies.

But what's hurting the players most is the memory of their fans streaming out of Suncorp Stadium on the weekend as South Africa unleashed a second-half onslaught.

"Seeing that hurts, and you take that personally," centre Christian Leali'ifano said on Monday.

"It's tough letting your fans down.

"We're hoping they stick by us. We feel like results are just around the corner."

The Wallabies sit last in the Rugby Championship, but can jump to third if they beat Argentina in Saturday night's Test in Perth.

Leali'ifano is adamant team unity remains strong despite the recent run of losses.

And he says it's only a matter of time before things start to click under McKenzie.

Australia haven't lost to Argentina since 1997, and Leali'ifano says the Wallabies remain unified despite their horrible start to this year's Rugby Championship.

"The boys are really tight," Leali'ifano said.

"It's tough when you're not getting the results. Everyone sort of looks back on the team culture and thinks that it might take a bit of a hit.

"But the boys are really sticking tight and not much is fazing us. We've just got to look after our own game and hopefully produce the results."

McKenzie has floated the prospect of dumbing down his game plan in a bid to get the Wallabies back on track.

But Leali'ifano felt such a move wasn't necessary.

"I don't think we need to dumb it down too much," he said.

"I think it's more just playing a smarter game - making better decisions and executing that better and executing at crucial times under pressure."

Lock Sitaleki Timani is in line to play against Argentina after being added to the squad, but fellow forward Jake Schatz will be sidelined for up to six weeks after suffering two small tears of the meniscus in his knee.